Can Dry Mouth Cause Dental Problems?

 

Dry mouth is a condition whereby the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva in the mouth, causing dryness. Mostly prevalent in the aging population, dry mouth can also be a side effect of some medication. Some of the symptoms of dry mouth include cracked lips, sticky saliva, and bad breath. Whatever the cause, dry mouth is a medical condition that needs to be addressed with the importance it deserves because it can lead to other problems.

Can dry mouth cause dental problems?

Anything that affects the oral cavity will pretty much also affect your dental health. Therefore, dry mouth, being a condition that affects the oral cavity, will ultimately affect your dental health. So how does dry mouth affect your dental health?

Having a dry mouth means there will not be enough saliva production in the mouth. The relationship between dry mouth and dental health lies in the role saliva plays in keeping your teeth healthy. Saliva not only lubricates your mouth but also acts as a defence against cavities. Saliva contains mucins, which are compounds that act as a barrier for the teeth and prevent cavity-causing bacteria from infecting the teeth or gums. This is why saliva is very important in maintaining dental health.

Dry mouth treatment

The absence of saliva in the mouth can cause a plethora of dental problems such as cavities, gingivitis, and inflammation. Since the dry mouth is almost always a symptom of another underlying condition, treatment may be highly dependent on the treatment of the condition causing dry mouth. For instance, if your dry mouth is caused by some medication that you are using, a doctor may reduce the dosage or recommend an alternative medication to stop the dry mouth.

If dry mouth is caused by other circumstances such as dehydration, breathing through the mouth, snoring, or sleeping with the mouth open, then these need to be avoided to help prevent dry mouth. However, all hope is not lost if your dry mouth is caused by an uncontrollable condition such as chemo/radiotherapy, as in the case of cancer patients. There are various treatments for dry mouth, and they include;

·         Using saliva substitute

·         Lozenges

·         Chewing xylitol-containing gum to stimulate saliva production

·         Using a humidifier

·         Prescription medicine to stimulate saliva production such as cevimeline and pilocarpine.

Dental hygiene with dry mouth

If you have a dry mouth, your dental hygiene should be at its best because, during this time, your mouth is more susceptible to dental problems such as cavities and gingival diseases. Here are some tips to help you stay on top of your dental hygiene while having a dry mouth.

·         Brush your teeth twice a day

·         Floss your teeth at least once a day, especially at night

·         Use an alcohol-free mouth wash

·         Visit your dentist for routine check-ups

Bottom Line: Springvale Dental Clinic

Suffering from dry mouth? Springvale Dental Clinic offers emergency dental check-ups to treat dry mouth and other dental problems. Springvale Dental Clinic boasts some of the best dental treatment options to help you stay on top of your oral health. Visit us today and let us help you cope with dry mouth to avoid dental problems arising from dry mouth.